Automatic adjustment for reelers.



G. H. BLAXTER. AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR BEELERS. APPLIOATION FILED our. 10,1911.

wmvzsszs I INVENTOR Qo TZ/MWM Q,

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

- G. H. BLAXTER. AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR REELERS.

APPLIOATIONIILED-OOT. 10, 1911'.

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

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v I I mvsu'roa G. H. BLAXTER. AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT FOR BEELERS. APPLICATION FILED 00110, 1911.

1,040,862. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETS-$111111! 3.

FIG. 6

. length thereof, which inequalities in the wall, thickness "of the.

,, g. gunrrnn fs'rn rns rAT N g F E v I w p G'QQRGE H. BLAXTER, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO' PIT'QSBURG SEAMLESS TUBE COMPANY, 013 BEAVER FALLS, ZPENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION on PENNSYLVANIA.

Auroraa'rm nmfusmanu'r non. nnnnnn To all whom itme y concern Be it known that I, Guonen H. BLAXTlC-R,

Automatic Adjustment torI-teelers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for reeling tubes. a p

Tie object of the invention is toprovide apparatus forreeling tubes to a uniform diametcrand-in a manner to reduce labor and attention onthe. part" of the workmen.

In the manufacture .ofseamless tubing the hollqnv hlankor tube. as it leaves the rolling mill varies cons'iderably in diameter, the walls'vary'in thickness and the tube is more or less rough hoth exteriorly and interiorly. When such tuhe or blank is reeled in the ordinary way it results in a tube of varying diameter (Lille to the rolls performing different amounts of work on the Walls of the tube at diflcrent points along the in turn is dueto the rough tube. The reeling is generally done over a plug and. consequently the thicker portions of the tuhe Walls, in being reduced .to the desired gage, expand to a greater extent than the thinner-portions. Inequality in diameter otthe product. of course objectionahle.

L The present invention provides an apparatus for reeling tubes iiver a mandrel. In

which the .incquahty i'n wall thickness is substantially reduced, the irregularities of the inner and outer surfaces are substantially removed and ihetuhe given the necessary finishfand' at the same time producinf a tube of uniform diameter. This is ac eomplished without the addition of extra labor cost and without any particular attention being given thereto by the workmen.

The present application relates to and claims only an apparatusfthe method of reeling tubes involved in this case forming the subject matter of a divisional application filed January 11, "1912. Serial No. 670,652. a I a y In the accon'ipanying drawings Figure l is a general plan view, partly diagrannnatic, of one form ot the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line 2-2,

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed Dctoher'lO, 1911. Serial No. 653,847.

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a vertlcallongitudinal sec.- tion on the line 3-3, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of the driving andadjustment controlling apparatus; Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views of other forms of the invention;'Fig. 7 is a detail view of the slide valve operating means shown in Fig.

6.; and Fig. 8 isa cross section on the line 7 8-8. Fig. (3, showing the roll adjusting gearing.

The reeler may beef any desired type. v

That shown comprises a pair of barrelshaped rolls 2and 3 mounted in a suitable frame or housing 4 and driven from an electric motor 5 which is connectedto the roll neck by suitable intermediate gears 6,-or by.

any other suitable connecting means now well known in the art. Between the rolls is the usual mandrel" head or plug 8 supported by the usual mandrel bar 9 and back rest 10;. A, trough 1'1. 0r other guiding means for the [tube is provided as usual.

Either or outh of the rol1s2 and 3 may he-."mountedfor adjustment during the reeling operatiombut as shown, the roll 2 is not jinte ii'ded to beadjusted during thereel: "ing operation but is adjustable by set screws jt-Q adapted roll 3 is adjustable during the reeling operation and to this end adjusting screws 13 bear 'againstth'e journal 1' boxes of the roll necks, and'at; the outer ends are provided with gears 14 for actuating the same. These screws are controlled automatically by the.

amount of; current consumed by the main mot'o' r 5. When the rolls are acting uponthe relatively thick portions of the tube walls the ain'ount of current consumed is considerable while when the rolls are neting unon-"therfelatively thin portions of the tuhewalls the amount of current consumed by the main motor is less. I take advantage of this to effect the adjustment of the rolls,

to be manipulated by hand. The

the parts being so ar'ranged that when the current consumed rises, the adjusting screws 13 are. slacked ofli'to enlarge the roll pass, and when thecurrent consumed by the main motor decreases the screws 13 are set up to reduce the roll pass. This may be accomplished in various Ways, but as shown, there is placed in the mains 15 of the motor 5 a solenoid or other magnet 16 provided with a core or other armature 17 which is notmally drawn out of the solenoid by spring 18 connected to a suitable fixed member 19. This spring is of such strength that when no current is flowing through the solenoid 16, or when the motor 5 is running under light load, the core 17 is drawn out of the solenoid. As .the c rent to the motor in creases, the core 17 is drawn into the solenoid to an extent depending upon the amount of current being used, and as thelatter varies directly with the load on the motor or the amount of reduction being effected by the reeler, it is obvious that the solenoid core can be utilized as a means for regulating the adjustment of the rolls.

The connections between the solenoid core 17 and the roll adjusting means can vary within wide limits. In the present application, several means for this purpose are shown, all operated by a fluid pressure medium, such as con pressed air, steam or water.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the adjustment of the rolls is eliected directly by a double acting power cylinder 20,?pist0n 21 of which is connected to piston rod 22, which in lulIl is connected to or carried by a suitable rack member 23 working between the gears llof the roll adjusting screws 13. The cylinder 20 is double acting and constitutes in eil'ect a reversible fluid pressure motor. It is obvious that the reciprocation of the rack back and forth will actuate the adjusting screws 13 in reverse directions.

Admission and exhaust ports lead to both ends of the cylinder from a suitable chest 24 to which the fluid pressure pipe 25 is connected. The admission of the fluid pressure to the opposite ends of the cylinder is controlled by a slide valve 26 actuated by a rod 27 connected to one end of a lever 28 l'ulcrumcd at 2!.) and having ils opposite end extending within a yoke 30 sccurcd to or formed on the solenoid core 17.

When the slide valve "28 is in the position shown in Fig. l, the lhiid prcssurc medium is admitted to the outer end of the cylinder .20 and forces the islon 21. outwardlv and through the rack 23 and gears H. rotates the screws 1 in the direction to close the rolls together. \Vhcn the slide valve 26 is moved to its reverse position, the fluid pressure is exhausted from the outer end of the cylinder and is admitted umlcrncaththe piston 21 to reverse the same, and. this through the rack and gears rotates the ad justing screws in the reverse direction to slack off the rolls. \Vhen the valve is in the middle or neutral position, fluid pressure is admitted to neither end oi the eylindcr and the rolls will be held in whatever position they may have been previously :uljustcd. Springs 30 and 31 are provided to accelerate the movement of the piston 91 to the middle of the cylinder and to make the device more neutral position and quickly and readily responsive and delicate in operation.

In the use of the apparatus described, as long as the Work in the rolls is uniform, the solenoid core is in such position as to hold the slide valve 26 in its middle position, in which position the piston 21 is at rest in its produces no change in the roll adjusting means. lVhen, however, he wort all, so that the power necessary to reduce it is decreased, the amount of current consumed by the motor 5 drops, thereb' permitting the spring 18 to partly wit draw the core 17 from solenoid 16. This moves the slide valve 26 to admit fluid pressure to the outer end of cylinder 20 to drive the piston '21 outwardly and cause rotation'of the screws 13 in a direction to close up the rolls, the spring 30 tending to prevent such movement. If, however, the reduction of the tube becomes more difficult, more current flows to the motor 5, thereby strengthening the solenoid 1G and thus draws c e 17inwnrdly and causes the slide valve to move in the reverse direction. Should the size of the tube increase still more, the increasing amount of current flowing to the motor 5 will draw the core 17 still farther into the solenoid,thereby moving the slide valve 526 into 'osition to admit pressure into the lower on of cylinder 20 and force we piston to the opposite end of the cylinder and slackoil the rolls.

entering the rolls is relatively A movement of the piston away from middle or neutral position is resisted b" 30 and 31, which piston to middle position in its cylinder and hold it there, and thereby turn the screws 13 in proper direction to close up or slack of? the rolls as the case may be,

I t will thus be observed that by the means described the rolls of the rcclcr are adjusted toward and from each other according to the variation in the walls of the tube passing between the rolls and that this is eil'eeted entirely automatically. being controlled by the load on the motoruvhich drives said rolls.

Provision is made for'hold'ing thevalve in the middle or neutral position when no work is passing tl'n'ough the rolls, as oththe springs always tend to return the crwisc thc screws 13 would be rotated until the rolls were entirely closed together. This is effected by means of rod 33 connected at one end to the lever 28 and at its other end to a yoke or forked lever 34 having beveled ends tube in the rcclcr. The lever 34 is forked to provide two controlling members, one at the exit and the other on the entrance side of the-Peeler. so as to insure the roll adjusting mcuns being in operative condition as long 35 projecting into the path of theas there is a tube in the rceler. The'lever' lat is normally held by spring 36 against a stop 37, in which position the slide valve 26 is in neutral position. lVhen, however,

a tube passes through the guide troughll it 7 contacts with one of the ends of lever 34 and swings the lever against the tension of spring 36, thereby (on. account of the slot and pin connection 38) relieving the rod 33 and lever 28, so that as long as the tube is in the reeler the slide valve 26 is c0n'-.

trolled exclusively by the solenoid core 17. The piston 20 instead of adjusting the rolls by rack and gear connection, may (idjust the salne through the'intervention of' levers 41 fhlcrumed aifliand at one end being engaged by the p ston rod 22 'and, at

their other ends engaging the journal bear-.

ings of roll 3, as shown in Fig. 5.

The fluid pressure motor instead of directly adjusting the rolls may be used to control. the same indirectly as shown in Fig. 6. In this modification, the adjusting screws 13 are adapted to be actuated from some suitable source oiposver; such for instance as the small electric motor 47, but which may be replaced by a counter shaft or some mechanical connection from the main rolls.

As illustrated the armature shaft of-motor 47 is provided with a gear 48 meshing with;

a pair of reverscly setbevel gears 49 and 50 loose upon a shaft 51 which is suitably tinuonsly in the some direction but it is obvions that through the-clutch 53 the adjusting screws 13 can be driven in either direction ornllowcddo remain stationary, dcpendenl; upon the position of the clutch 53.

When Ith(-re is no variation in the thickness of the tube wnlls, the clutch member is in its neutral position, in which position the screws are neither advanced nor slacked oil", but should variation occur the clutch moniber is shifted into engagement with either one oi? the gears i!) orflO, torithcr advance or slack oil the adjusting screws. 'lhefluid pressure cylinder provides the necessary power to hold the clutch memher'in good frictional. contact with either one of the gears 49 or 50. The solenoid core need exert only sullicicnt force to movcthe slide valve 26. Tu this form the springs 30 and 31 for holding the piston-in its neutral position are located within the cylinder 20. The tank 58 rcproscnls any suitable source. of fluid pressure.

Various other Forms of mechanism, than to be imposed thereon either by the-specific illustration or specific description herein.

automatic control of the adjustment of elec- .noid or other form of magnet connected driving the rolls, whether such mechanism the main circuit.

653,848, filed October 10, 1911, is, shown and described electrical controlling ,means for the adjusting mechanism, which-electrical means are specifically claimed in saidcoma. safetydevie' iiagainst serious overloads.

tube reelers.

'What I claim is rolls comprising in combination withtho justing means for the rolls, and means-com trolled 'byand 1n synchronism with variamcans for operating said adjusting means and'varying the adjustment of the rolls. v

2. Reeling apparatus comprising incom- -hination, rolls, electric driving means therecontrolled by the power consumed b "the justing means, whereby the power consumed in successive reeling operations is equalized und a product duced. I

. 3. Reeling apparatus comprising in com hination, rolls,z electrical driving moon's therefor, adjusting means therefor, a mag'- and means actuated by said magnet and by the power consumed in succ form diameter produced. 1

4. -Reeling apparatuscomprising in coming means for the rolls, a. magnet in the mnindriving circuit, and means actuated by the nuignet and controlling the roll adjusting means and including reversing means For said roll adjusting means.

5. Reeling apparatus comprising in com- .binnlion, rolls and a mandrel therebetween,

clocll'icnl driving means for the rolls, ud-

be in the form of a' solenoid as shown or whether in senes or otherwise connected to In a companion application, Serial No."

panion application but are covered by orineluded within the broad claims hereinma'de. The device described can alsocbe HSBQ'U' The specific mechanism illustrated may also be used for adjusting machines other than 1..- Regulating'means' for electrically driven I driving means and controlling the rol ad of uniform diameter pro not connected to the main driving circu t, a

115 i controlling the roll adj listing m ans, whereive T011111; operations isequalizcd and a product of umthose described, for securing the adjustment, .will readily suggest themselves to tho fi skilled in the art and no limitations uponthe terms of theclaims hereinafter made are The essential feature of the invention is thotrically driven rolls by the use of insole I 76 with the power circuit of, the motor for Q C -ric driving m'eiins therefor, ad-

tions in the current supplied to the driving for, adjusting means therefor, and means.

I hination, rolls, a ma'ndrcl therebetween, adjustingmeans for the'rolls, electrical driv-.

justing means for the rolls, a magnet in .the driving circuit, and means actuated from said. magnet for controlling the roll adjusting means and comprising a reversing mo- .tor and means actuated by said magnet for controlling said motor and reversing the same.

6. Reeling apparatus comprising in com-- bination, rolls and a mandrel therebetween,

electrical driving means for the rolls, adjusting means for the rolls, a magnet in the driving circuit, a motor for actuating said roll adjusting means, and means actuated by said magnet for controlling and reversing the action of said motor on said roll adjusting means.

7. Reeling. apparatus comprising in combination, rolls and a mandrel therebetween, roll adjusting means, power driven mechanism for actuating said roll adjusting means, electrical roll driving means, a magnet, in

circuitv therewith, and means actuated by said magnetjforcontrolling the roll adjusting means, said means, having a neutral and reverse activ e positions," A f 8. Reelin apparatus comprising in combination, r0 ls and a mandrel therebetween, el ctrical roll driving means, rolLadjusting means, a' moto f f'or actuating. saidadjustingfmetrns, a solenoid in the main driving circuit, a core therefor, means arranged to draw said core. out of said solenoid, and means actuatedby said core for controlling and reversing the actionof the adjusting motor on'the adjusting means. i t p 9; Reelingapparatiis. comprising in combinatiom roll's and a mandrelthercbetwecn,

driving" means. for said i'olls,."adjusting.

means for said 'rolls,and-fiuid pressure incanscoiitrolled by variat-itins in the power roll adjusting means.

ll, Reeling apparatuscomprising in c'ombiuatiiui. rolls and a mandrel therehctweon,

electrical drivingmeans for the rolls, ad-

justing means for the rolls, fluid pressure means controll'ii'ig 5 id adjusting means, a magnet in the main driving circuit. and means actuated. by said magnet and actuatling and reversing the action or lllClUll ad justiu means.

Reeling apparatus comprising in comp liin'atinu. rolls and :i mandrel therebctwcen,

lug said fluid pressure means "for eontro electrical driving means for the rolls, ad-

justing means for the rolls, a magnet in the main driving circuit, a motor for actuating .said roll adjusting means, and fluid pressure -means actuated by said magnet for controlling and reversing the action of the motor on said roll adjusting means.

v 13, Reeling apparatus comprising in combination, rolls and a mandrel therebetween, roll adjusting means, electrical roll driving means, a magnet in the drivingv circuit, power actuated mechanism for actuating the roll adjusting means, and a clutch controlled from said magnet and controlling the roll actuating means, said clutch having aneutral and reverse active positions.-

14. Reeling apparatus comprising in combination, rolls and a'niandrel therebetwecn, roll adjusting means, electrical roll driving means, a magnet in the main driving circuit,

power driven roll actuating means including a clutch having neutral and reverse active positions, and fluid pressure means controlled from said magnet and arranged to actuate said clutch.

15; Reeling apparatus comprising in combination, rolls and a mandrel thcrcbetwcen,

adjusting means for the rolls, driving means for the, rolls, means controlled by the power consumed by the driving means and controlling the roll adjusting means, and means arranged to throw said controlling means out of operation when no work is passing the rolls.

l6. Reeling apparatus comprising in com bination, rolls and a mandrel therebetwecn, adjusting means for the rolls, electrical driving means for the rolls, a magnet in the main driving circuit, means actuated by said magnet andcontrolling the roll adjusting means and including reversing means for said roll adjusting means, ZLIHl'Il'lQiU'lS for throwing said adjusting controlling means out of operation when no WOIlf. is passing the rolls.

17. Reeling apparatus comprising in omnbinatinn, rolls and a nandrel t-hcrelietu'eeu, electrical. driving means for the rolls, adjustii'ig means for the rolls, a magnet. in the main-driving circuit, and means actuated from said magnet for controlling and reversing the roll adjusting means and comprising a fluid pressure motor and a valve thercforartuatedfrom the magnet to control and reverse said fluid pressure motor.

18. R cling apparatuscomprising in combination, rolls and 'a-mandrel tliercbetween, electrical drivii'ig means for the rolls, adjusting means for the rolls, a magnet in the maiudriving circuit, power means for actuating said adjusting means. and means actuated by said magnetfor controlling and reversing the action of said powerzmeans on the roll adjusting means.

19. Reeling imparatus comprising in combination, rolls and a mandrel therebetween', roll adjusting means, electrical roll driving means, a magnet in the main driving cir' cuit, and means actuated thereby for, con-' trolling the roll adjusting means and oomprising a clutch and cooperating means having a neutral and reverse active positionsof the clutch.

20. Reeling apparatus comprising in combination, rolls and a mandreltherebetween,

electrical driving means for the rolls, ad-

justing means forthe rolls, a magnet in the main driving circuit, and means actuated? from vsaid magnet forcont-rollingand re-- versing the. roll adjusting means and comprising a fluid pressure motor and a valve therefor actuated from the, magnet to control and reverse said fluid pressure motor, and a clutch and cooperating means providing a neutral and reverse active positions of the clutch.

21. Automatic regulating means for electrically driven machines comprisingin combination with the working element of the machine, adjusting means therefor, an] electric motor for operating said working element a magnet in circuit with the motor,

.and means operated .from said magnet and arranged to aetuate the ad usting means ineither direction zurcoiiling to the load on the motor to thereby equalize the power consumed.

'22. Rolling apparatus comprising in combination rolls, means for drivingsaid rolls so arranged that the supply of power thereto varies with the resistance to the action of the rolls, and means whereby said supply of power varies the ad ustment of the rolls and equahzes the load.

23. Rolling apparatus comprising in co1n.-

binaticn adjustable rolls, means for driving said rolls so arranged that the supply of power t hereto varies with the resistance to the action of the rolls, and means whereby the rolls are automatically adjusted in synchronisni with the Variations in the supply of power for driving the same.

24'. Rolling apparatus coni nising in com bination rolls, electrical means for driving said rolls so arranged that the current supplied thereto varies with the resistance to the action of the rolls and means whereby said supply of current varies the adjust ment of the rolls and equalizes the load.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set you 

